Singapore Grand Smash: A Battle of Inner-Fiber Blades
1. Q968. Keyword: deep power (bottom power)
Chen Junsong: Q968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, Moristo SP
Whether a player who uses pips on the backhand ultimately chooses an outer or inner blade often depends on their technical makeup and stylistic leanings. For example, if the forehand is hit-driven or close-to-table focused and prizes a sense of speed, then an outer blade is the priority, like Ito Mima (Mima Ito carbon), Batra (Viscaria), and Kim Kum Yong (Effort 70). If a player likes to back off the table and demands more arc and deep power from the forehand, an inner blade is worth considering, like Chen Junsong (Q968) and Mu Zi (W968).
Of course, this isn’t to say outer and inner blades can’t be used interchangeably; Mu Zi, for one, has played with both the Viscaria and the 968. Ultimately it comes down to a player’s feel and needs at the time.
But compared with their first meeting at the China Grand Smash, a narrow 3-2 win over Harimoto, this time at the Singapore Grand Smash Chen Junsong lost 2-3. He couldn’t produce that deep power. Last time, he served a lot of long balls, restricting Harimoto’s flick, and pivoted to rip a forehand winner at a high frequency. This time, although his backhand short pips were already playing a big role, thanks to the experience of their first meeting, Tomokazu Harimoto now received serve better and had a better read on shutting down placements, so Chen Junsong couldn’t produce attacking shots of high enough quality.
Deep power and single-ball quality were supposed to be the 968’s strengths. In the days after the match, Chen Junsong went back to drilling his forehand again (including mid-table rallying).
2. Harimoto SALC. Keywords: absorbing pace for defense, high margin for error
Tomokazu Harimoto: Harimoto SALC, ZYRE-03 on both sides
I’ve long suspected Harimoto’s SALC design was inspired by the Fukuhara Ai ZLF. That, too, was an inner-fiber blade with a large kiri (paulownia) core. This design preserves the clean release for close-to-table shots and high margin for error. It’s not known for absolute power storage, but it guarantees a basic ball-holding arc.
Compared with the Harimoto ALC, the Harimoto SALC has a softer feel and higher margin for error, and the paulownia core really is better at absorbing pace.
3. Joola Hugo (inner green-aramid carbon). Keyword: explosiveness
Hugo: Joola Hugo (inner green-aramid carbon), Joola flagship rubber on both sides
Watching Hugo’s match against Wong Chun Ting, even though he wasn’t in his best form, the inner green-aramid Hugo blade showed better forehand and backhand explosiveness than the all-wood seven-ply XYLO 7. He felt he didn’t have to work hard; the ball would suddenly zip across, with noticeably faster acceleration than all-wood.
Even from the same Korean OEM factory, the steadiness of the Andro VCI and the quick acceleration of the Stiga Aura Carbo are still different in style. On the Joola Hugo, I believe they can build in some individuality too.
4. Cybershape 6. Keyword: powerful and heavy
Moregård: Cybershape 6 Gold, Helix Platinum on both sides, 55 degrees
Although this one is also an inner-fiber, large-paulownia-core blade and absorbs pace pretty well (as in Moregård’s short touches and side-cuts), thanks to the craftsmanship and the special blade shape, the Cybershape 6’s overall stiffness, support, and absolute power are very prominent. Moregård can frequently swing high-quality single-ball power loops.
Now a word on this German-rubber flagship, the Helix. Since its launch this year, you could say people have generally been deeply impressed by its astonishing friction. This topsheet’s grab on the ball gives us a real sense of security when flicking and looping. The Helix Platinum M, to my personal feel, is harder in touch than the DNA Platinum M. For instance, on the backhand I play DNA Platinum H, but with Helix I feel the M hardness is enough. It really is great for adding spin and great for engaging power.
The XH hardness is quite satisfying on the forehand too. It’s reliable for driving underspin. I haven’t tried the 55 degrees yet; next I’ll test just how much it can boost the deep power.